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Governing Board Members

Bill de la CruzDirector of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Denver Public Schools

Bill de la Cruz has built his career around conflict management. His passion is in equity and inclusion work. Mr. de la Cruz is an expert team facilitator who has worked with groups throughout the area, including workplaces, families and communities, to create sustainable change.

In his current position with the Denver Public Schools, he works with teams and individuals to develop culture. Mr. de la Cruz’s role involves implementing systematic practices within the district. In addition, Mr. de la Cruz owns a consulting business and partners with many companies and organizations on strategic planning and leadership development. He worked for six years with the Colorado Department of Education as their Anti-Bias Trainer and co-authored the Equity Toolkit for Administrators. From 1997 to 2003, Mr. de la Cruz served as President of the Boulder Valley School Board.

Mr. de la Cruz holds a Bachelor’s in Leadership and a Master’s in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. He also has a Mediation Certificate.

Betty D. JohnsonRetired Principal, Denver Public Schools

Betty Johnson, the Vice Chair of HOPE's Governing Board, has 40 years of experience in education. She spent 25 years with the Denver Public Schools (DPS), serving in a variety of positions at both the elementary and secondary level, including teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal and principal. Prior to her time at DPS, Ms. Johnson spent 15 years in education in Nebraska and Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Peru State College and two Masters of Arts Degrees, one as a Reading Clinician (Drake University) and another in Administration/Supervision in Education (University of Phoenix). Ms. Johnson is also a certified gifted and talented and TESA (Teacher Expectation and Student Achievement) coordinator, as well as has management training in a positive approach to discipline that she has delivered to more than 30 educators.

In retirement, Ms. Johnson is continuing to influence the lives of youth in the community by informally mentoring teachers and educators. Her passion is to ensure young people of today are striving for excellence. Ms. Johnson knows this is not possible if those around them are not encouraging them to believe in themselves.

Ms. Johnson is the recipient of the Paul Brim Outstanding Educator Award, was profiled as a Living Portrait of African-American Women and has also been recognized for her contributions on TV and in the newspaper. Her community/in-service activities include the City Wide English Advisory Committee, DPS School of the Arts Advisory Board, District 8 Senior Event 1st Annual Elvin R. Caldwell Sr. Essay Contest, Co-Author of 1993 publication – “Kids Explore America’s African-American Heritage,” and establishment of a girls club for at-risk female students needing adult guidance. Ms. Johnson is also active in the education activities of her church.

Joe RiceDirector of Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company

Joe Rice is Director of Government Relations for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. He is responsible for the management of legislative and regulatory matters at the state and local level for Space Systems Company, which employs more than 15,000 people and generated more than $8 billion in sales for the Lockheed Martin Corporation in 2011. In 2017, he was awarded the Thomas R. Hobson Distinguished Aerospace Service Award.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in August 2011, Mr. Rice served two terms in the Colorado Legislature as State Representative for the 38th House District of Colorado from 2007-2010. While in the legislature, he focused on economic development and transportation, passing legislation that resulted in significant jobs creation across the state. He also previously served as the Mayor of Glendale, Colo., from 1996-2003.

He currently holds the rank of Colonel in the United States Army Reserve with more than 25 years of military service. Mr. Rice's military service includes peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and five combat tours of duty in Iraq, which included establishing the first post-Saddam Baghdad City Council and serving as advisor and military liaison to the Council (2003-2004); advising on interactions between military forces and the Iraqi government (2005 and 2006); facilitating development of the Iraqi Security Forces (2009); and implementing the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and developing enduring partnerships between US and Iraqi forces (2011). He is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Mr. Rice also serves as Adjunct Professor of history, government and public administration at the University of Phoenix, Colorado Campus.

Mr. Rice earned an Associate’s degree from the New Mexico Military Institute, a Bachelor's degree in History from Metropolitan State College of Denver, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. For his distinguished military service, he has received two Bronze Stars, the Combat Action Badge for action under enemy fire and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International and has been involved since 2003 with the Baghdad-Denver Region Partnership, a cultural and professional exchange program between Iraq and the United States.

Dawn Rocky has built a successful career in business development. Prior to relocating to the Denver area, Ms. Rocky spent more than a decade in the corporate retail industry. She worked for companies such as Aeropostale, Ann Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue, and helped form strategic partnerships that led to growth.

Ms. Rocky is now proud to be expanding her expertise in the non-profit industry where she strives to make a positive impact on her community. Her passion is helping provide resources and opportunities to children that will lead them to build bright futures. She is currently the Director of Corporate Relations with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, a position she has held since December 2016. Ms. Rocky is additionally involved in local organizations, including being the Board Secretary for Salud y Vida and on the Development Committee for the National CMV Foundation. In the past, she has been involved with the Laradon Foundation, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Children’s Treehouse Foundation and Friends First.

Ms. Rocky holds both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

Kim Rossi, the Chair of HOPE's Governing Board, is an insurance consultant with AssuredPartners of Colorado/The Wright Group. She began her career in insurance in 1992, working as a workers’ compensation underwriter for Pinnacol Assurance. Ms. Rossi transitioned to the agency side of insurance in 2000 and joined The Wright Group, which was purchased by AssuredPartners in 2014. As a licensed Colorado Insurance Producer, Ms. Rossi helps her clients design insurance and risk management programs that are both cost effective and comprehensive. A Colorado native, Ms. Rossi earned a Bachelor of Science from the Business School of the University of Colorado after graduating from Wheat Ridge High School.

Ms. Rossi and her husband, John, have a teenage son. She spent many of her son's grade-school years volunteering in his elementary school, including participation on the Collaborative School Committee (CSC) and as a Cub Scout leader.

Dr. Kristine A. Turner has built her career around youth development. Her business, New Beginnings, is a court-approved organization that helps families who are going through divorce or facing child custody issues. Dr. Turner is also the author of several parenting books and videos, contributor to local radio and TV programs, and a member of many community organizations on this topic. Since 2006, Dr. Turner has been the coordinator and facilitator of Youth Leadership Douglas County, a program for area teens. Dr. Turner holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Dr. Turner was on the Douglas County School District Board of Education from 2003-2009, serving as President from 2007-2009 and Vice President from 2005-2007. Prior to that, Dr. Turner was on the Douglas County School District’s Long Range Planning Committee. She also served in leadership positions with the Colorado Association of School Boards, including Legislative Liaison.

For more than 20 years, Jeff Vigil has been an active member of his community. His involvement includes the Commerce City Council Youth Task Force, Commerce City Community Enterprise, Southern Adams County Citizens Neighborhood Improvement Group, Lincoln Water and Sanitation District, Candidate for Colorado State House of Representatives District 35, Adams County Latino Initiative, Vice Chair of Congressional District 7, among others. Jeff was first acquainted with HOPE during its founding. He believes in quality education choices for all students and advocates for parent responsibility and accountability. Professionally, Jeff works for Albertsons Companies (Safeway) and is currently a territory manager of produce operations. His tenure with Albertsons spans 30 years.

Jeff’s family is involved in the public education system. His father was a Teacher and Principal in Colorado and supported Student Teachers at Metropolitan State University of Denver.